Milwaukee’s Summerfest is back with 11 days of music, food and attractions.

Just about an hour north of Lake County, Summerfest bills itself as the world’s largest music festival. Summerfest is from noon-midnight June 27-July 1 and July 3-8 at Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee.

“This is our 51st edition of the festival so we’ve got a great legacy,” Sarah Pancheri, vice president of Sales and Marketing with Summerfest. “It’s always been an event that’s been popular and we believe that’s because we offer a little something for everybody. We say that our market is 8 to 80 and I would even argue that it’s eight months to 80, because we offer everything from children’s entertainment to blockbuster artists like The Weeknd and James Taylor and Imagine Dragons.”

Other big name artists include Bonnie Raitt, Dave Matthews Band, Florida Georgia Line, Journey, Def Leopard, Shawn Mendes, Blake Shelton and Arcade Fire. All totaled, there are more than 800 artists playing Summerfest.

Summerfest also has a permanent residence — 75 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan. That means permanent vendor buildings (and restrooms) which house 45 food vendors — all local to Milwaukee.

Summerfest averages about 850,000 patrons over 11 days each year.

Promotions galore

There are many promotions and themed days; including a Seniorfest Day and a Children’s Fest Day.

Seniorfest Day is July 3; people 60 and up are admitted free. Acts such as the Golden Idols, the Booze Brothers, Under the Streetlamp and the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra will perform.

“We program some stages for seniors as well as offer a resource fair for seniors,” Pancheri said.

Two days later, July 5, is Children’s Fest Day. There will be family activities like a scavenger hunt for kids so they can make their way around the grounds and enjoy the entertainment, she said. Food vendors will offer discounted items, and admission to Summerfest is free from 12-3 p.m.

There is an admission promotion each day to the festival, with the idea that anyone should be able to come to the event, Pancheri said. So each day offers free or discounted admission via a certain promotion.

“It’s the legacy of the festival that we really remain a community event and so that’s one of the ways that we continue to do so,” she said. “It’s a significant portion of our attendance.”

The North End has been revamped this year with a reconstructed the North Entry Gate as well as a new North Gate Community plaza and the new U.S. Cellular Connection stage, which will host acts like Nelly, Kane Brown and Rick Springfield. The new staging area will have benches with phone charging stations, Pancheri said.

“We’re always trying to improve the festival experience, and having an easy in and out is part of that,” she said. “Finally, we’ve added the Klement’s Sausage and Beer Garden. Klement’s is a local Milwaukee sausage maker. Klement’s and Summerfest are working together to present a brand new stage area which will feature music from 2-8 p.m. It will be primarily local acoustic music. We’ll actually have sausage and beer available for purchase there as well.”

Get the app

Her best tip is to download the Summerfest app on your phone, where you can see the performers’ schedule and mark some as your favorites artists (remember, there are more than 800 of them) and allow you to build your own schedule. There are maps that can for helping you get around the festival grounds and even help you locate beer.

She encouraged people to bring their appetites, as there is everything from bacon cannoli to mozzarella marinara to the new Cedar Crest Frozen Custard.

“Finally, come prepared to listen to great music,” she said. “We have so many stages offering everything from Janelle Monae to Steven Tyler to All-American Rejects. The music really runs the gamut, so you want to be prepared to try something new in terms of music.”

The American Family Insurance Amphitheatre requires a hard ticket (available for purchase on Ticketmaster.com) to see shows likes Imagine Dragons, Dave Matthews Band, The Weeknd, Big Boi, Arcade Fire, Blake Shelton and J. Cole. You don’t need to buy a festival ticket on top of an amphitheater ticket for those shows, she said.

To see acts on the other 10 stages requires just a festival ticket, available on Summerfest.com.

The Kohl’s Captivation Station is the best activity for kids, she said.

“There are interactive activities and performances all day at the Kohl’s Captivation Station,” she said. “There is also a children’s play area and stage. So you can have the kids run around a little bit and burn off some of that ice cream. I think there’s lots of things to do for families in those two areas as well as kids can try something new in terms of food.”

Another area for families is the Northwestern Mutual Children’s Theater and Playzone. Open from 12-8 p.m. daily, there is live entertainment and activities for kids.

The food vendors accept cash, credit and debit cards. She encouraged newbies to check out the shopping area too, where you will find local and national vendors, she said.

Summerfest founder and former Milwaukee mayor Henry Maier, who had the idea to create an event reminiscent of the first Oktoberfest in Germany, would likely be pleased at the event today, Pancheri said.

“It brings the entire community together in mean of tourism,” she said. “We feel we honor his vision every year, as well not only continue to present this incredible lineup but also attract folks from all over the world. With a $21 ticket price and free admissions every day as well as the ability to drive tourism for Wisconsin, Summerfest contributes an average of $187 million for Southeast Wisconsin on an annual basis.”

While there is not carnival, there’s a large Ferris wheel and paddleboats. Mercury Marina is offering boat rides and L.L. Bean is offering paddleboard school on select days. Children over 10 can participate with a parent.

“Imagine being able to learn how to paddleboard at Summerfest,” she said. “We really wanted to use the lake. It’s such a beautiful amenity … we’re trying to use the lake as much as possible this year.”

People south of the cheddar border should try Summerfest, she said.

“If you’re looking for an affordable great time with friends and family to listen to the best music and an eclectic lineup as well as eat amazing food, Summerfest is the place to be,” she said.

Quick tips

No backpacks. Bags are limited to 9-by-10-by-12

Make your life easier and check the “Getting here” section on Summerfest.com

The Lost Children’s Area is located near the Mid Gate for children who become separated from their parents. Children’s ID wristbands are available at all gates for parents to write down emergency contact information.